Ankle Tourniquet Holster

ABSTRACT

An ankle holster is provided which can be used to store and transport a tourniquet. The ankle tourniquet holster can feature a flexible strap that can be worn around a body part of a wearer. A pocket can be sewn or otherwise attached to one side of the flexible strap. A tourniquet can be inserted into the pocket of the ankle tourniquet holster. The ankle tourniquet holster can be attached and worn around an ankle of the wearer using one or more fasteners. When worn around the wearer&#39;s ankle, the ankle tourniquet holster permits the wearer to easily and quickly access the tourniquet for self-treatment of a bleeding deep wound or to treat another injured person while concealing the presence of the tourniquet and avoiding its interference with weapons or gear that are normally transported via attachment to a belt around the wearer&#39;s waist.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a nonprovisional of and claims the priorityof U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/144,887 filed on Jan. 15,2009. The foregoing application is incorporated in its entirety hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to mechanisms to hold/carry aself-application combat tourniquet, and more particularly to an ankleholster for carrying a tourniquet which not only conceals and holds atourniquet to the wearer's ankle, but also allows the wearer to easilyremove a tourniquet from the ankle holster.

BACKGROUND

Tourniquets are an essential tool for medics and other first responderssuch as, for example, police and other law enforcement officers, whoencounter injured persons and who are themselves likely to face injurydue to the nature of their jobs. For law enforcement officers inparticular, such first aid tools must be easily accessible and readilyavailable for use in case of emergency. For example, in an encounterwith another armed or hostile party, a law enforcement officer may beinjured to an extent that requires immediate medical attention. Theofficer may begin bleeding heavily after an injury occurs but before thehostile situation has ended. In other cases, the law enforcementofficer's partner or another person may be injured in a way that causesexcessive blood loss requiring immediate medical attention. If thehostile or combat situation has not yet ended and the injured officer orother person cannot be reached by medical personnel, a tourniquetcarried by the officer or other first responder may be appliedimmediately during the hostile situation to shunt blood loss, therebypotentially saving the life of the injured officer or other injuredperson receiving treatment. For example, a law enforcement officer orsoldier who has been injured during the course of a combat situation canimmediately self-treat the wound to slow or stop blood loss untilprofessional medical treatment can be obtained.

Deep penetrating injuries (e.g., gun shots and stabbings) are understoodto be the most significant threat to an officer's life. Because apartial or complete dissection of a major artery can result in death byexsanguination in approximately 2-4 minutes, rapid application of atourniquet is crucial in the event of an inflicted wound to the officeror another victim to increase the chances of survival. Such rapid andreadily available wound treatment is also beneficial for soldiers,hikers, climbers, and others engaging in dangerous, hostile, and combatsituations or who visit or engage in recreational activities in remoteareas.

Today, most law enforcement officers have too much equipment on theirwaist duty holsters to be able to accommodate another device to hold atourniquet. Keeping a trauma kit in a vehicle is also not functional asmost, if not all officers, would not likely carry an extra bag with themwhen responding to call. Additionally, attempts by officers to affix atourniquet to their duty belts via elastic bands or other measures isoften a violation of uniform regulations in many law enforcementagencies.

A need exists for an apparatus or means for law enforcement officers,other first responders, soldiers, persons engaging in certain high-riskoutdoor recreational activities and others to easily transport one ormore tourniquets that are readily accessible and can be quickly appliedby the carrier to a wound or used by the carrier to treat the wound ofanother person.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to an ankle holster that can be used to store andtransport a tourniquet on the body of a wearer. The ankle tourniquetholster can feature a flexible strap that can be worn around a body partof the wearer. A pocket can be sewn or otherwise attached to one side ofthe flexible strap. A tourniquet can be inserted into the pocket of theankle tourniquet holster. The ankle tourniquet holster can be attachedand worn around an ankle of the wearer using one or more fasteners. Thefasteners can be patches of hook and loop fasteners installed ondifferent sides of opposite ends of the flexible band.

When worn around the wearer's ankle, the ankle tourniquet holsterpermits the wearer to easily and quickly access the tourniquet forself-treatment of a bleeding deep wound or to treat another injuredperson while concealing the presence of the tourniquet and avoiding itsinterference with weapons or gear that are normally transported viaattachment to a belt around the wearer's waist.

The ankle is a body part on which law enforcement officers already carryback-up weapons for use in emergencies. Because the tourniquet is to beused in an emergency and because the ankle as a location for attachmentof gear is familiar to most users and is accessible from the prone,sitting or kneeling positions under dangerous circumstances, the ankleis an ideal body part around which the holster can be fastened and worn.The placement of a tourniquet holster on the ankle is also crucial sincecurrently many police officers carry a back-up weapon on an ankleholster. As a result, law enforcement officers are already familiar withthe ankle as a location to reach toward in an emergency.

The ankle holster can be designed to conceal and hold a tourniquet tothe wearer's ankle, and can be designed to allow the wearer to easilyremove the tourniquet from the ankle holster. The fasteners can featurean adjustable fastening device that permits the strap to be shaped intoa loop. The pocket of the holster apparatus can releasably hold atourniquet to one face or side of the strap.

The holster can be constructed of lightweight perforated breathableneoprene. The holster can be attached to the wearer's ankle via ahook-and-loop type closure. The pocket that holds the tourniquet can behalf the length of the tourniquet, which allows the officer to pull thetourniquet free from the holster using a convulsive grip. Thisconstruction adheres to the concepts of survival stress physics and thecapabilities lost (fine motor skills) during survival stress response.

Most officers already have too much gear on their belts and will refuseto carry yet another piece of gear on the already over-burdened dutybelt. The ankle tourniquet holster, as a single lightweight piece ofgear, is needed by all police officers because it is convenient andaddresses survival. The ankle tourniquet holster and its insertedtourniquet is a necessary tool to insure that each officer can save hisor her life or the life of another officer or victim.

An advantage of the present invention is that the ankle holster forcarrying a tourniquet effectively conceals a tourniquet from the view ofothers. Because the ankle holster can be worn underneath one's clothingor hidden in a belt, the holster is unlikely to be visible to anotherperson viewing the wearer. Because other persons cannot ascertain thatthe wearer of the ankle holster is carrying a tourniquet, the wearer canavoid violations of uniform regulations.

Another advantage of the invention is that because the holster is madeof flexible material that can breath, it will retain the tourniquetduring activity, physical altercation, foot pursuits, climbingobstacles.

The tourniquet holster on the ankle proves to be advantageous in thatthe location is concealed from the public and any hostile threat.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the location iseasily reached from a kneeling, prone or seated position.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the location isconcealed from others to protect the officer from violations of uniformregulation.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the location isconvenient and the device/gear is lightweight and will not be seen as ahindrance to movement by law enforcement officers and other wearers.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the ankle holsterallows for easy retrieval of a folded tourniquet. The tourniquet pocketis designed to expose a portion of the tourniquet while still securelyholding the a tourniquet in the pocket to allow the wearer to easilyremove the tourniquet from the tourniquet pocket. To remove thetourniquet package from the ankle holster, the wearer may simply reachto the ankle holster hidden under his clothing and pull on the exposedtourniquet to remove it from the ankle tourniquet holster's pocket.Consequently, the wearer can use one hand to retrieve the tourniquet.

Accordingly, the invention features a holster apparatus for storing andtransporting a tourniquet on a wearer for use in treatment of bleedingwounds. The holster apparatus can feature a strap, a pocket connected tothe strap and sized to receive the inserted tourniquet, and one or morefasteners for attaching the strap to a body part of the wearer.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the strap being constructedfrom a flexible material.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the strap being constructedfrom an inflexible material.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the pocket being sized toreceive two or more tourniquets inserted therein.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the one or more fastenersincluding a patch of hook fasteners and a patch of loop fasteners.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the patch of hook fastenersbeing installed on a first end and on a first side of the strap and thepatch of loop fasteners being installed on a second end and on a secondside of the strap.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the one or more fastenersbeing selected from among: a zipper, an adhesive, one or more safetypins, hook and eye fasteners, magnetic snaps, snap fasteners, buckles,buttons, ties, clips, and clasps.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the pocket being attachedby sewing to the strap.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the pocket being attachedby heat sealing or melting to the strap.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the pocket beingconstructed from a flexible material.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the pocket beingconstructed from an inflexible material.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the strap being constructedof a length capable of being fastened and worn around an ankle of thewearer.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the strap being constructedfrom a breathable material.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the strap being constructedfrom a waterproof, breathable fabric.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the strap being constructedof a length capable of being fastened and worn around an upper arm ofthe wearer.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the one or more fastenersbeing capable of adjustment to fit the holster apparatus around anklesof different sizes of different wearers.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the pocket including meansfor preventing the tourniquet from falling out of the pocket.

The invention also features a holster apparatus for storing andtransporting a tourniquet on a wearer for use in treatment of bleedingwounds. The holster apparatus can feature a circular strap and a pocketconnected to the circular strap and sized so as to be capable ofreceiving a tourniquet.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the circular strap beingconstructed from a flexible material.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the circular strap beingsufficiently sized and flexible enough to be fitted over a foot of thewearer and to fit snugly around an ankle of the wearer.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar orequivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice ortesting of the present invention, suitable methods and materials aredescribed below. All publications, patent applications, patents andother references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions will control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ankle tourniquet holster linkedaround a wearer's ankle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention provides an ankle holster 30 for carrying a tourniquet 40designed to hold and conceal a tourniquet on a wearer's ankle. Referringto FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of the ankle holster 30carrying a folded tourniquet 40 is illustrated. The ankle holster 30 canfeature a flat strap 31 or band. The strap 31 may be made of anyflexible material, synthetic or natural, such as nylon, polyester,vinyl, neoprene, cotton, wool, leather, and other materials well knownto those skilled in the art. The material from which the strap isconstructed may be breathable. The material can also be waterproof. Inone embodiment, the strap 31 may be constructed from an inflexiblematerial. The strap 31 has a tourniquet holster apparatus 300 whichreleasably holds the folder tourniquet 40 on one face of the strap 31.When the tourniquet is removed is can be unfolded into its useable formand applied to the wearer or to a wounded person needing medicalassistance from the wearer. The strap 31 can feature first and secondsides and first and second ends.

In one embodiment, the tourniquet holster apparatus 300 can feature atleast one tourniquet pocket 32. The tourniquet pocket 32 can beapproximately one-half the length and width of a folded standard selfapplication tourniquet (based on the C.A.T.™ and I.C.A.T.™, Soft T™) tofacilitate survival stress responses, gross motor skills, loss of finemotor skills and the possibility that the user may be missing or unableto utilize the digits of their hands. Thus, the tourniquet 40 is easy tograsp and forcibly pull out of the pocket 32, but will not accidentallyslip out. The pocket 32 can be constructed from the same materials asthe strap or it may be constructed from materials different than thoseused in the construction of the strap.

The strap 31 can also feature a fastening device 33 which releasablyconnects the ends of the strap 31 together to form a loop and which alsoadjusts the length of the strap 31 to fit around the wearer's ankle. Thefastening device 33 can feature a hook-and-loop type closure or fastenerhaving a receiving piece 331 provided on the outer side of the strap 31and an attachment piece provided on the inside of the strap 31respectively affixed at the two ends of the strap 30. However, thefastening device 33 can include other fasteners such as buckles,buttons, clasps, clips, or other devices well known to those skilled inthe art. FIG. 1 illustrates the ankle holster 30 fastened around thewearer's ankle with the pocket 32 facing away from the wearer's skin.However, the ankle holster 30 can also be worn with the tourniquetpocket 32 facing toward the wearer's skin.

The tourniquet holster apparatus 300 can also include elements whichboth prevent the tourniquet 40 from falling out of the tourniquet pocket32 in the ankle holster 30 and allow the wearer to easily remove the atourniquet 40 from the ankle holster. Such variant embodiments of thetourniquet pocket are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,260 incorporated byreference herein. Accordingly further explanation of such embodimentswill be omitted.

In view of above, a user can fasten the ankle holster 30 to his or herankle to carry a tourniquet in a concealed and accessible manner.Normally, the ankle holster 30 is concealed by the pant and/or sock ofthe wearer. However, the wearer can easily reach the ankle holster 30and remove the tourniquet from the tourniquet pocket using one hand.

Suitable fasteners and fastening devices that may be used with thisinvention include hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, adhesives, safetypins, hook and eye fasteners, magnetic snaps, snap fasteners, buckles,buttons, ties, clips, and clasps.

In another embodiment, the invention can feature a holster apparatus forstoring and transporting a tourniquet on a wearer for use in treatmentof bleeding wounds that can feature a circular strap. The circular strapcan include an attached pocket that is sized so as to be capable ofreceiving a tourniquet. The circular strap can be constructed from aflexible material. The circular strap can also be sufficiently sized andflexible enough to be fitted over a foot of the wearer and to fit snuglyaround an ankle of the wearer.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoingdescription is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Otheraspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A holster apparatus for storing and transporting a tourniquet on awearer for use in treatment of bleeding wounds, the apparatuscomprising: a strap; a pocket connected to the strap and sized toreceive the inserted tourniquet; and one or more fasteners for attachingthe strap to a body part of the wearer.
 2. The holster apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the strap comprises a flexible material.
 3. The holsterapparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises an inflexiblematerial.
 4. The holster apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pocket issized to receive two or more tourniquets inserted therein.
 5. Theholster apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastenerscomprises a patch of hook fasteners and a patch of loop fasteners. 6.The holster apparatus of claim 5, wherein the patch of hook fasteners isinstalled on a first end and on a first side of the strap and the patchof loop fasteners is installed on a second end and on a second side ofthe strap.
 7. The holster apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or morefasteners comprise at least one fastener selected from the groupconsisting of: a zipper, an adhesive, one or more safety pins, hook andeye fasteners, magnetic snaps, snap fasteners, buckles, buttons, ties,clips, and clasps.
 8. The holster apparatus of claim 1, wherein thepocket is attached by sewing to the strap.
 9. The holster apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the pocket is attached by heat sealing or melting tothe strap.
 10. The holster apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pocketcomprises a flexible material.
 11. The holster apparatus of claim 1,wherein the pocket comprises an inflexible material.
 12. The holsterapparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a length capable ofbeing fastened and worn around an ankle of the wearer.
 13. The holsterapparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a breathable material.14. The holster apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises awaterproof, breathable fabric.
 15. The holster apparatus of claim 1,wherein the strap comprises a length capable of being fastened and wornaround an upper arm of the wearer.
 16. The holster apparatus of claim 1,wherein the one or more fasteners can be adjusted to fit the holsterapparatus around ankles of different sizes of different wearers.
 17. Theholster apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises means forpreventing the tourniquet from falling out of the pocket.
 18. A holsterapparatus for storing and transporting a tourniquet on a wearer for usein treatment of bleeding wounds, the apparatus comprising: a circularstrap; and a pocket connected to the circular strap and sized so as tobe capable of receiving a tourniquet.
 19. The holster apparatus of claim18, wherein the circular strap comprises a flexible material.
 20. Theholster apparatus of claim 19, wherein the circular strap issufficiently sized and flexible to be fitted over a foot of the wearerand to fit snugly around an ankle of the wearer.